COMP 220 Introduction to Relational Databases

This course allows students to appreciate the exponentially increasing amounts of data and the resulting databases which support the integral functions we have come to expect in modern life. It introduces the database management systems as tools necessary to collect, manage, store, disseminate, and mine datasets to extract useful information in a timely manner, avoiding data from becoming a liability where the cost of its acquisition and management far exceeding the derived value. It starts with a historical overview of the evolution of data management models, followed by a focus on the design and development of specific databases adhering to the relational model. Students will be given the opportunity to design and implement relational databases in a Microsoft Access environment.